Therapies

Our Therapy Services include Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Complementary Therapies. They provide help and support with rehabilitation and adjustment, and symptom control, including:

• Anxiety management
• Living with fatigue
• Non-pharmacological approaches to managing pain
• Mobility and other functional assessments

For those patients at home, referrals for Therapy Services are made by our Nurse Specialists.

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Physiotherapy

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy uses physical activities, including exercise and massage, to treat symptoms such as pain, reduced mobility or breathlessness.

In what ways can our physiotherapists help?

Our physiotherapists work in our In-patient Unit, our Day Hospice and in the patient's home. They work closely with patients to identify those symptoms which trouble them most, and offer a range of treatments to help. These may include:

• Mobility and exercise advice
• Acupuncture
• Bandaging and hosiery
• Advice on positioning

Occupational Therapy

What is occupational therapy and how does it help?

Occupational therapy provides the patient with the opportunity to regain some control as well as increase their independence.

Our Occupational therapist has a broad range of skills which are used working alongside patients at home, in the In-patient Unit or in the Day Hospice.

As well as assessing a person's ability to carry out ordinary day to day activities, our occupational therapist will think about their future needs too.

Our occupational therapist will be able to help with:

• Preventing falls
• Using specialist equipment
• Relieving stress and anxiety
• Managing fatigue
• Planning a successful discharge from the In-patient Unit

Complementary Therapies

What are complementary therapies?

Complementary therapies are treatments which are used alongside conventional medical treatments. They can help with symptoms such as pain or anxiety, and relieve some of the side-effects of other treatments. A range of complementary therapies are available to patients attending the Day Hospice or staying in the In-patient Unit.

A course of treatments may be prescribed with the agreement of your GP and following assessment by one of our doctors.

What complementary therapies are available?

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy stimulates the senses with essential oils. These highly concentrated oils have a range of relaxing or stimulating effects and can offer a range of gentle physical and emotional benefits. The oils, once diluted, are readily absorbed through the skin using massage techniques.

Reflexology

Reflexology involves using gentle pressure and massage on the foot to relieve symptoms, ease tension and restore energy. Using specific pressure techniques on the reflexes which correspond to specific areas of the body, the energy flow to all areas of the body can be treated.

Indian Head Massage

Indian Head Massage uses a variety of relaxing massage movements on the head, neck and shoulders. It can be helpful in treating headaches, eye strain, neck and shoulder problems, as well as relieving stress.

Reiki

Reiki uses light touch applied by the therapist to channel healing energy. This gentle therapy can have emotional, spiritual and physical benefits.

Relaxation

Our therapists and nurses use a range of relaxation techniques to help reduce tension and stress.